An Intriguing Twofer from TUM Records: Henrik Otto Donner's And It Happened and Juhani Aaltonen's To Future Memories

The Finnish label TUM has made its mission to shed light on native talent. The world at large is familiar with a few of the country's improvisers, like drummer Edward Vesala and saxophonist/flutist Esa Pethman, but many other, equally gifted musicians remain obscure to non-Finns. In the span of 11 years since its inception, TUM has accomplished a lot, in remedying the situation by recording and releasing primarily the works of local jazzmen and jazz-women. The sumptuously designed digipaks include detailed liner notes in English and use, as cover art, works by local painters. Thus the imprint introduces to the international scene both its nation's visual art and its music. Two of TUM's albums from 2013 succeed in this aim exceptionally well.

Composer and conductor Henrik Otto Donner who passed away very shortly after cutting this session, was a scion of the modern music scene in Finland. His trademark approach was a synthesis of classical sensibilities and the fluidity of the bebop tradition, peppered with folk hints. His final record, And It Happened brings together eight of his originals that span five decades. The improvisational collective TUMO, augmented by two guest soloists, a doyen of woodwind players Juhani Aaltonen and lyrical vocalist Johanna Iivanainen, superbly interprets these vignettes from Donner's career with a dynamic vibrancy and sophisticated brilliance.

The title track, composed in 2007, crystalizes the essence of Donner's vision and style. The dramatic piece starts with Aaltonen's open, circular phrases over angular piano, bass and drums interplay. The cooperative ad-libbing evolves along intricate and provocative patterns, flirting with but never giving in to atonality. The big band's darkly hued symphonic refrains support Aaltonen's stimulation saxophone. Aaltonen's haunting unaccompanied tenor blossoms into a free flowing, stream of consciousness, replete with growls. The tune closes with the larger ensemble's undulating sounds and a languid, intimate atmosphere.

TUMO itself includes many a proficient soloist as the exhilarating "For Friends and Relatives" (from 1963) demonstrates. The theatrical yet mercurial piece brims with thrilling spontaneity as trumpeters Jorma Kalevi Louhivuori and Tero Saarti take turns in the spotlight blowing complex, imaginative lines over the orchestra's cinematic harmonies.

Elsewhere, trombonist Karpesi Sarikoski concludes Emily Dickinson's "These Are The Days," with a pensive, sophisticated growling solo. The enchanting song features Iivanainen's charming, lithe voice as she articulates the lyrics with a pastoral delight. Aaltonen's resonant alto flute floats over TUMO's shimmering tones.

Aaltonen's own date on the label To Future Memoriesis a more introspective and explorative affair. The veteran reedman is joined by his unique sextet, an amplified version of a rhythm trio with two bassists and two percussionists. The result is a strikingly tense and intricately woven sonic tapestry.

On the darkly poetic "Kukunor" for instance Aaltonen's muscular and agile flute pirouettes over the rustling, sparse and overlapping cadent structures that pianist and harpist Iro Haarla's chiming keys punctuate. The impression it creates is that of an otherworldly field with a mythical bird soaring over it.

There is also plenty of passion on this consistently engaging CD. The vividly ardent "Haze" opens with a stimulating dialogue between Laine's polyrhythms and Rönkkö's peals and clangs. Aaltonen's, vibrato filled tenor floods the tune with a fiery spontaneity as the band maintains an angular and intriguing atmosphere by cleverly flirting with dissonance. The climax of the piece is the memorable and exhilarating bass duet as Herrala throws out sharp, fast con arco phrases that contrast and complement bassist Ulf Krokfors' limber and thrilling plucked strings.

The haunting "Hilsi" features Herrala's bowed mournful drone and Krokfors' melancholic reverberations framing Aaltonen's stirring and longing bass flute. His complex improvisation expands over the rhythmic embellishments that also include Laine's restless thunderous beats and Haarla's cascading, chiming notes echoing against Ronkko's tolling bells. As the piece evolves a sense of spiritual unity imbues the interplay with individual ideas fusing into a greater whole. A pioneer of Finnish jazz Aaltonen, with this exquisite album, demonstrates that age has not dampened his intrepid mind or his dynamic musicianship. On the contrary with maturity his enthusiasm and his sense of experimentation have crystalized into a singular and enthralling outlook.

Tracks and Personnel

And It Happened....

Tracks: Junnudå; Close Your Eyes; Entreaty; The First Summer; Have Me, Hold Me; These Are The Days; And It Happened...; For Friends And Relatives

I grew up listening to my father's Jazz records and listening to radio. My dad was a musician for many years as a vocalist, bassist and drummer. His two uncles played in the Symphony of Reggio Calabria back in Italy

I grew up listening to my father's Jazz records and listening to radio. My dad was a musician for many years as a vocalist, bassist and drummer. His two uncles played in the Symphony of Reggio Calabria back in Italy. So music and jazz specifically have been a part of me since I was born. I love and perform in all styles of music from around the world. Improvisation in jazz is what drew me in, and still does as well as other genres that feature improvisation. A group of great musicians expressing themselves as one is the hallmark of great jazz and in fact all great music.